You might already be thinking ahead to spring and summer career opportunities. You probably hear the word “internship” tossed around a lot, but what does this mean and why is having one important? Read on for all things internship-related and learn how the helpful staff in the Pomerantz Career Center can assist you in your search for a variety of experiences outside the classroom.
Internship opportunities
An internship is your opportunity to:
- Test-drive a potential occupation
- Develop professional connections
- Gain related career experience and skills
- Apply classroom knowledge in the real world
- Strengthen your resume for full-time employment or graduate school
Internships can be found throughout the year–fall, spring, and summer all provide internship possibilities. More and more employers are also listing remote internships which could be a perfect fit, especially during the school year. Also remember that an experience doesn’t have to be labeled an “internship” for it to have value—lab and research student jobs, fieldwork, course practicums, and campus employment connected to your career interests are all meaningful and rewarding experiences that provide similar benefits to an internship.
Learn more about when and where to look for an internship.
Other helpful things to do as you prepare to apply
- Take a career assessment or explore what can I do with this major
- Start or update your resume (Hint: Use our easy-to-edit resume templates!)
- Check out our career communities for industry-specific resources
- Schedule an informational interview or job shadow to learn about various occupations
- Create your LinkedIn profile to start developing your network
- Learn more about free online skill-building
Job search resources
If you are graduating soon, keep these resources in mind as you prepare to job search, interview, and consider job offers.
- Career communities with industry-specific resources like suggested job search terms and tailored job boards
- Handshake
- Job tips for diverse populations
- Job searching internationally
- Interview tips and questions to expect
- Salary information and negotiating offers
For more information, visit careers.uiowa.edu or email careercenter@uiowa.edu.